Electric-lamp socket



June 3,1930. G. J. MEUER ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET Filed Dec. 24, 1928 2 Shets-$heet 1 SEE A TTOR/VEY June 3, 1930. G. J. ME'UER 1,761,307

ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET Filed Dec. 24, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GEORGE J. MEUER, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

Patented June 3, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE TO CUTLER-HAMMER, I1 TC., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION 0F DELA- WARE ELECTRIC-LAMP SOCKET Application filed December 24, 1928.

This invention relates to improvements in electric lamp sockets, and more particularly to improvements in the details of construction, assembly and operation or" the so-called all-porcelain pull chain lamp sockets.

proved electrical characteristics, including switching means providing for two-point make and break of the center contact branch of the lamp circuit and direct electrical connection of the screw shell contact with one of the cap terminals.

Another object is to provide a porcelain lamp socket having a main body portion and a terminal carrying cap portion with means comprising a single screw for rigidly uniting said body and cap portions against relative longitudinal movement, which screw additionally serves to electrically connect the screw shell contact with one of the cap terminals.

Another object is to provide a novel arrangement and location of the pull switch mechanism within the main body portion of the socket whereby said single cap securing screw may penetrate said main body portion and engage said cap at a point spaced inr-: wardly a maximum distance from the periphery of the latter.

Another object is to provide such a lamp socket having a porcelain block or button interposed between the main body and the cap, together with means comprising a single screw penetrating said block for rigidly uniting the latter and said main body against relative longitudinal movement.

Another object is to provide a one-piece pull chain guide bell having a novel interlocking connection with said main body portion and said block for support of said guide bell, the latter serving to prevent lateral movement of said body portion and said block with respect to each other.

Serial No. 328,239.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that changes may be made in details of construction of certain of the parts without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the main body portion of the lamp socket, showing the switch operating mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the socket.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of an. all porcelain lamp socket constructed in accordance with my invention, the section being taken on the lines 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 8 and on the broken line 33 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view at right angles to the section of Fig. 3, this section through the cap being indicated at line 4-4 of Fig. 5. r

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the porcelain cap shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but with the guide bell and movable switch parts removed for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the movable parts of the switch mechanism in separated relation.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the intermediate insulating button or block shown in section in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of said insulating block.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of cap.

Figs. 11 and 12 are top and bottom plan views 01"; the insulating base of the cap shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of the metal blank from which the chain rail may be formed.

Fig. 14 is a perspective View of the formed blank.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating diagrammatically the development of the four ratchet teeth shown in Fig. 6, and

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view,

substantially on the line 1616 of Fig. 3, illustrating the tensioned engagement of the reflexed contact strip with one of the cap terminals.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 15, 16 and 17 designate, respectively, the main body portion, the intermediate button or block, and the cap of my improved lamp socket, said parts 15, 16 and 17 being preferably formed of porcelain, or the same may be formed of other suitable molded insulating material.

The main body portion 15 is provided at its upper endwith a recess 18 for the switch mechanism and the same is also provided at its lower end with a recess 19 for the center and screw shell contacts 20 and 21 of the lamp socket. Between the recesses 18 and 19 is a diaphragm or wall 22, which is integral with the body portion 15, said diaphragm having four substantially symmetrically arranged perforations to accommodate the attaching screws 23, 24, 25 and 26 (as best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4).

The base 27 and side walls of the screw shell contact 21 are cut away (Figs. 2 and 4) to accommodate the diametrically extending projection 28 ofdiaphragm 22, said projec tion 28 being recessed or countersunk at one side, as indicated at 29, to receive the offset base 30 of center contact 20 and the head 31 of the securing screw 24. Screw 24 penetrates the offset base 32 of a switch contact member 33 located on the opposite side of diaphragm 22 and takes into a nut 34 whereby the center contact 20 and switch contact 33 are secured in position. I

As best illustrated in Fig. 6, the contact 33 rests upon one of the four ratchet teeth formed integrally wit-h the diaphragm 22, said ratchet teeth extending annularly from low to high points thereof in a counterclockwise direction. Arranged on the ratchet tooth diametrically opposite to contact 33 is a second switch contact 35, the offset portion 36 of which rests upon said diaphragm 22 and is perforated to receive the shank of screw 26' aforementioned, the head 37 of said screw being accommodated in a recess 38 in the project-ion 28 of said diaphragm.

Screw 26 takes into a tapped opening in the lower arm of a U-shaped metallic bracket member 39 whereby the contact 35 is secured in position.

The alternate porcelain ratchet teeth 40 and 41 are preferably glazed to reduce the frictional resistance toward and wear upon the bridging contactor 42 when moved with respect thereto. Said contactor 42, as best shown in Fig. 7, may comprise a single metal stamping having a central circular perforation with an integral depending flange surrounding said opening, as indicated at 43 in Figs. 3 and 4, thus obviating the necessity for attachment to the contactor of the usual separate alining or centering bushing.

The contactor is otherwise of well known form, and includes a pair of diametrically opposed arms carrying downwardly and rearwardly extending contact fingers 44 and 45, respectively, and another pair of diametrically opposed arms 46 and 47 arranged alternately with respect to the first mentioned pair of arms.

The arms 46 and 47 are adapted to be simultaneously engaged by one pair of the four equally spaced ratchet teeth 48 formed integrally with the ratchet plate 49. Ratchet plate 49 is provided with integral lugs 50 and 51, the lug 50 extending through a perforation 52 in a thin plate 53 of fiber or other insulating material and the lug 51 embracing one edge of said plate, said lugs being then bent toward each other to secure the plates 49 and 53 to each other.

The insulating plate is provided with the usual additional perforations to receive the integral securing lugs (not shown) of a chain rail, comprising a curved upstanding portion 54 and an angularly extending end wall or abutment 55, said end wall having a forked or slotted extension 55 (Fig. 14) which is bent to hook form to receive and retain the end bead or enlargement of the pull chain. Said rail is also preferably provided adjacent its opposite end with an integral horizontally extending lug 57 to prevent displacement of the chain from the guide rail during operation of the switch. Portions 54 and 55 of the chain rail are respectively provided with downwardly projecting lugs 54 and 55 which penetrate corresponding open ings in plate 43 and are bent over the latter to secure said parts to each other. Inasmuch as the relatively narrow lug 57 may be easily bent to the position illustrated, it will be seen that I have obviated the difliculty of providing a continuous flange for the guide rail as taught by the prior art.

Plates 49 and 53 are provided with openings 58 and 59 respectively in register with the opening in contactor 42 to receive the usual centering spindle 60, said opening 59 being suiiiciently large to accommodate the integral hook or lug 61 on the upper face of plate 49. Surrounding spindle 60 is a coiled sprlng 62 one end 63 of which is adapted to engage said lug 61 and the other end 64 of said spring is adapted to enter a perforation 65 in the head 66 of said spindle. The spindle head 66 is of square or other angular form, and is provided with the usual notch 67 for reception of a screw driver or other tool for adjusting the tension of spring 62.

The diaphragm 22 is provided with a recess 68 to accommodate the lower end of spindle 60, and the insulating button 16 is provided with a central opening comprising a relatively large portion 69 to permit rotation of the head 66 of the spindle upon depression of the latter, it being noted that the recess 68 for the spindle 60 is deep enough to permit such depression of the spindle. Said opening further comprises an interme diate portion 70 (Fig. 9) which is of square or other angular form to prevent relative rotation of the spindle head 66 when seated therein. A relatively smaller portion 71 is provided to permit insertion of a screw driver or other adjusting tool as aforestated.

As shown in Fig. 3 the upper horizontally extending arm of bracket 39 is tapped to receive the shank of a screw 72 which penetrates registering openings in the base of a resilient conducting strip 73 and the insulating button 16. The screw 7 2 thus serves not only to secure the conducting strip 73 to the button 16, but also to secure the latter against relative longitudinal movement with respect to the main body portion 15 of the socket, thus holding the movable switch parts in proper operative position.

Relative lateral movement of the button 16 with respect to main body portion 15 is prevented by the seating of said upper arm of bracket 39 within a correspondingly shaped recess 74 in the lower face of said button, and also by the interlocking engagement of the flanged inner end 75 of a chain guide bell 76 (which is preferably formed from a singlepiece of tubular metal stock) with the notch or recess 77 formed in the lower surface of button 16 and with the cooperating shoulder 78 (Fig. 1) formed at the upper end of main body portion 15.

As best shown in Figs. 6 and 9, the insulating body 15 and button 16 are provided wit-h cooperating semi-circular grooves 7 9 and 80 to accommodate the intermediate portion of the guide bell.

- As will be noted, the conducting strip 73 is set within a recess 81 (Fig. 8) in the upper surface of button 16, and said strip is provided with a reflexed resilient portion 82 (Figs. 3 and 16) which extends upwardly and rearwardly over the head of screw 72 and is adapted to be engaged with a portion 83 of a terminal plate which rests upon a ledge 84 adjacent to the open end of the cap 17 and is secured thereto by a screw 85 the head of which is located in a countersunk opening in the outer surface of the cap. The other portion 86 of said terminal plate is offset inwardly of the cap and rests upon a ledge 87, said latter portion being provided with the usual binding screw 88.

Offset inwardly of the cap from ledge 84 is another ledge 89 upon which rests a portion90 of another terminal plate, said portion having a tapped opening to receive the shank of a securing screw 91 extending inwardly from a countersunk recess in the outer surface of the cap, and said portion is provided with a relatively larger tapped perforation 92 to receive the single screw 23 which provides the sole mechanical connection for preventing relative endwise movement of cap 17 and body portion 15 and which also provides for direct electrical connection of the screw shell. contact 21 with said portion 90 of the terminal plate. Said terminal plate is provided with another portion 93 offset inwardly of the cap, and said latter portion carries the usual binding screw 94.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the button 16 is provided with an opening 94 to permit free passage of the screw 23 therethrough," and in practice a tight fitting leather or fiber washer 95 is provided to prevent entire displacement of the screw 23 when the latter is disengaged from the terminal plate 90 in the cap.

The button 16 is provided in its upper surface with one or more notches or recesses'96 to cooperate with the corresponding lugs or projections 97 on the cap to prevent relative lateral movement of the cap when the socket parts are completely assembled.

The cap shown in Figs. 3 4 and 5 is adapted for attachment to a pendent conductor cord, whereas the modified form of cap 17 shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 is particularly adapted for attachment to the threaded end of a metallic conduit or similar fixture. The cap terminals shown in the bottom plan view of Fig. 12 are identical with those aforedescribed and are given like characters of reference.

Cap 17 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite perforations 98 and 99, said perforations being countersunk, as indicated at 98" and 99 to accommodate the heads of screws 100 which respectively take into tapped openings in the oppositely extending arms 101 of a perforated supporting bridge or plate 102. The circular wall of the perforation in said plate 102 is preferably serrated, scalloped or of other irregular contour, as indicated at 103 (Fig. 10) to provide a positive gripping engagement between the same and the reduced lower end 104 of bushing 105 when said end 104 is upset thereagainst as shown; a metal cover or dome 106 being clamped between the plate 102 and shoulder 107 on bushing 105. Bushing 105 is internally threaded in the usual manner, and a locking set screw 108 may be provided if desired.

As shown in Fig. 10 the arms 101 are offset from the main body of plate 102, and said arms are received in correspondingly shaped recesses 109 in the top surface of cap 17.

The lower face of button 16 (Fig. 9) is provided with a semiannular recess 110 to provide ample clearance for the pull chain 111 and guide rail 54.

As best illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 6 the spindle of the switch mechanism is located eccentrically of the center line of the main body portion of the socket,thus providing for passage of the cap securing screw 23 through said main body and into engagement with the cap terminal at a point spaced a maximum distance inwardly from the periphery of the latter. This arrangement, moreover, provides ample clearance between said screw 23 and the movable parts of the switch mechanism, while insuring a strong and rigid mechanical connection between the main body portion and the cap.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1'. In a pull chain lamp socket, in combination, body and cap portions of insulating material and an insulating button interposed between said body and cap portions, wiring terminal plates secured to said cap portion, center and screw shell contacts within said body portion, and a single screw the head of which is in clamping engagement with said screw shell contact and the shank of which takes into a tapped opening in one of said terminal plates in the cap, said screw forming the sole means for holding said cap portion against longitudinal movement with respect to said body portion and said button and also pro viding a direct electrical connection between said screw shell contact and said terminal plate.

2. In a pull chain lamp socket, in combination, an insulating body portion having longitudinally spaced recesses opening to opposite ends thereof, center and screw shell contacts located within the lower recess and pull switch mechanism located within the upper recess, an insulating button superimposed upon the upper end of said body portion and acting to enclose and retain said switch mechanism in operative position, a bracket secured to said body portion and a single screw penetrating said button and engaging said bracket to hold said button against longitudinal displacement with respect to said body portion.

3. In a pull chain lamp socket, in combination, an insulating body portion having longitudinally spaced recesses opening to opposite ends thereof, center and screw shell contacts located within the lower recess and 'I pull switch mechanism located within the upper recess, an insulating button superimposed upon the upper end of said body portion and acting to enclose and retain said switch mechanism in operative position, a bracket secured to said body portion, a single screw penetratinterlocked with said body portion and said button to prevent relative lateral movement between the latter.

4;. In a pull chain lamp socket, in combina tion, an insulating body portion having longitudinally spaced recesses opening to opposite ends thereof, center and screw shell contacts located within the lower recess and pull switch mechanism located within the upper recess, an insulating button superimposed upon the upper end of said body portion and acting to enclose and retain said switch mechanism in operative position, a bracket secured to said body portion, a single screw penetrating said button and engaging said bracket to hold said button against longitudinal displacement with respect to said body portion, a cap portion having wiring terminals secured thereto, and a single screw the head of which is in clamping engagement with said screw shell contact and the shank of which engages one of said terminal plates in the cap, said last mentioned screw forming the sole means for holding said cap against longitudinal movement with respect to said body portion and said button and also providing for direct electrical connection of said screw shell contact and said terminal plate.

5. In a pull chain lamp socket, in combination, an insulating body portion having longitudinally spaced recesses opening to opposite ends thereof, center and screw shell contacts located within the lower recess and pull switch mechanism located within the upper recess, an insulating button superimposed upon the upper end of said body portion and acting to enclose and retain said switch mechanism in operative position, a bracket secured to said body portion, a reflexed resilient contact strip having its base seated within a correspondingly shaped recess in the upper surface of said button, and a single screw penetrating said base and said button and engaging said bracketto hold said button against longitudinal displacement with respect to said body portion.

6. In a pull chain lamp socket, in combination, an insulating body portion having longitudinally spaced recesses opening to opposite ends thereof, center and screw shell contacts located within the lower recess and pull switch mechanism located within the upper recess, an insulating cap, wiring terminal plates secured to said cap, and a single screw head of which is in clamping engagement with said screw shell contact and the shank of which takes into a tapped opening in one of said terminal plates in the cap, the supporting spindle of said switch mechanism being located'eccentrically of the longitudinal center line of said body portion whereby said screw may penetrate said body portion and engage said cap at a point spaced inwardly a maximum distance from the periphery of the latter while providing ample clearance between said screw and the movable parts of the switch mechanism.

7. In a porcelain socket of the pull chain type, the combination with a main body portion, a cap and an insulating button interposed between said body portion and said cap,

said body portion having recesses opening to opposite ends thereof with a diaphragm therebetween, center and screw shell contacts located within the lower recess and pull chain snap switch mechanism located within the upper recess, said insulating button cooperating with said upper recess to enclose and retain said switch mechanism in operative position, spaced switch contacts in the center contact branch of the circuit, common means for electrically and mechanically connecting the center contact and one of said switch contacts, a conductive bracket and common means for securing said bracket and the other switch contact to said main body portion, a reflexed contact strip having its base seated within a recess in the upper surface of said button and means penetrating the base of said strip and said button and engaging said bracket to secure said parts against longitudinal movement with respect to said main body portion, a pair of wiring terminal plates secured to said cap at one side of the latter and in offset relation to each other longitudinally of the cap, said reflexed contact strip having tensioned engagement with one of said terminal plates, and a single screw the shank of which engages a tapped opening in the other of said terminal plates and the head of which is in clamping engagement with said screw shell contact, said screw forming the sole means for holding said cap against longitudinal movement relative to said body portion and said button and also providing for direct electrical connection of said screw shell contact and said last mentioned terminal plate.

8. In a porcelain socket of the pull chain type, the combination with a main body portion, a cap and an insulating button interposed between said body portion and said cap, said body portion having recesses opening to opposite ends thereof with a diaphragm therebetween, center and screw shell contacts located within the lower recess and pull chain snap switch mechanism located within the upper recess, said insulating button cooperating with said upper recess to enclose and retain said switch mechanism in operative position, spaced switch contacts in the center contact branch of the circuit, common means for electrically and mechanically connecting the center contact and one of said switch contacts, a conductive bracket and common means for securing said bracket and the other switch contact to said main body portion, a refleXed contact strip having its base seated within a recess in the upper surlongitudinally of the cap, said reflexed contact strip having tensioned engagement with one of said terminal plates, a single screw the shank of which engages a tapped opening in the other of said terminal plates and the head of which is in clamping engagement with said screw shell contact, said screw forming the sole means for holding said cap against longitudinal movement relative to said body portion and said butt-on and also providing for direct electrical connection of said screw shell contact and said last mentioned terminal plate, and interlocking means for preventing relative lateral movement of said main body, button and cap when assembledr 9. As an article of manufacture, a pull chain guide rail comprising a punched metal member formed to provide a horizontally curved upright portion, an end portion extending outwardly at an angle to said upright portion, said end portion being forked and being bent to hook form to provide for engagement thereof with the end bead or enlargement of a pull chain, and a relatively narrow lug adjacent to the other end of said upright portion, said lug being bent at an angle to said upright portion to insure against upward displacement of a pull chain when assembled therewith.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

GEORGE J. MEUER.

face of said button and means penetrating the base of said strip and said button and engaging said bracket to secure said parts against longitudinal movement with respect to said main body portion, a pair of wiring terminal plates secured to said cap at one side of the latter and in offset relation to each other 

